Guided Reading

Anita Laughlin
Second Grade, Room 11
Escondido School, Palo Alto, CA 94305

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How to Help Children be Independent Readers

If Reading Goes Well: PRAISE when the child reads correctly. PRAISE when the child corrects a mistake himself. PRAISE when the child gets a word correct after you have prompted him.

If the Student Hesitates When Reading: WAIT! Give the student time to solve the problem by himself. Count to 5 If the Mistake Doesn't Make Sense: If the Mistake Does Make Sense: If the Child Says Nothing: Prompt with clues about the MEANING of the story. "Does that make any sense?" "What word would make sense?" Prompt with clues about SYNTAX or SOUNDS. Sound the first letter for her ... or say: "Get your mouth ready to say this sound," and point to first letter. "Does it look like ...?" "What would sound right?" Ask the child to "Try it." Praise for any attempt. Provide the child with choices. "Could that be ...?" If the Word is Not Correct after Two Prompts Say, "The word is ________." Ask the child to check: Does it look like _______? Does it make sense?